The Role of a Lawyer in a Successful Hurricane Damage Claim
Hurricanes can bring catastrophic destruction, leaving property owners with substantial financial losses. Recovery from such catastrophes usually involves making an insurance claim, but the process is not always easy. Insurance firms tend to delay, underpay, or reject claims, which makes it challenging for policyholders to receive the compensation they deserve.
This blog explores the challenges one may face when filing a hurricane damage claim and how hurricane damage claim lawyers can help.
Challenges in Filing a Hurricane Damage Claim
Some of the most common issues include:
1. Familiarizing Oneself with Policy Exclusions and Language
Insurance policies for natural disasters, such as hurricanes, are sometimes complicated, with certain exclusions and limitations. A policy may, for instance, pay for damage to buildings caused by winds but not damage from flooding. Insured persons who do not know their coverage might inadvertently make claims for damages that do not fall within their policy, which leads to delays or denial.
2. Insurance Adjusters Might Undervaluate Damages
Insurance providers employ adjusters to evaluate damages and decide on the payout amount. Adjusters, though, are in the employ of the insurer, not the insured. Their role is usually to keep claim payouts as low as possible, so settlements may end up being short of what repairs cost.
3. Claim Denials and Delays
Insurance providers can reject claims on grounds such as lack of proper documentation, failure to meet deadlines, or disagreements regarding the origin of damage. Even after approval of a claim, the insurer can hold up payments, making it challenging for homeowners to start repairs.
4. Depreciation and Low Settlement Offers
Others pay based on the depreciated value of a property, not the cost of repairs. This can result in homeowners paying out-of-pocket for expenses they did not anticipate.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Hurricane Damage Claims
Here’s how they can assist policyholders:
1. Reading and Interpreting Insurance Policies
The first thing a lawyer does is read the insurance policy to see the extent of coverage. Lawyers guide policyholders in knowing what damages are paid for and any possible exclusions that can impact their claim.
2. Negotiating Insurance Companies
Insurance companies tend to make low initial offers, called low-ball insurance settlement offers, in hopes that policyholders will take them without question. Lawyers utilize their understanding of insurance law to negotiate more substantial payments, ensuring clients are fairly compensated.
3. Fighting Claim Denials and Filing Appeals
If an insurance company rejects a claim, a lawyer can look at the reason for the denial and appeal it. They provide more evidence, dispute erroneous valuations, and try to overturn the insurer’s decision.
4. Suing for Bad Faith Insurance Practices
Insurance companies, in certain instances, operate in bad faith by denying claims unreasonably, withholding payments, or misrepresenting policy provisions. When negotiations do not work, attorneys can sue the insurer to hold them responsible and recover further compensation.
Conclusion
It can be a daunting task to file a hurricane damage claim, particularly with recalcitrant insurance companies. Hurricane damage claim attorneys offer valuable legal assistance, making sure that policyholders get the payment they deserve.
